On a normal vina, there are four strings, like a sitar, and a drone string. A Rudra Vina (bin) has frets set into wax, and Vichitra Vinas have no frets.

Three other types of vinas, the Nakula, Magadi, and Mayuri Vina, have no gourds, just strings. The Nakula has one, continuous drone, and the Magadi has 2 strings and a drone string. The Mayuri Vina is similar to a sitar in shape, and is in the same family as the dilruba and the esraj.